Published: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 9:29 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.

Jacksonville State will finish the season the same way it started the season — with a matchup against a team from the nation’s best FBS conference.

The Gamecocks travel to the Swamp on Saturday to face Florida in JSU’s season finalé. Jacksonville State opened the season on the road against Arkansas, another Southeastern Conference opponent.

But the difficulty in playing in Gainesville, Fla., is a far cry from the way things were in Fayetteville, Ark., in Week 1.

“We haven’t played anybody at this level, but we have played some close to this level,” JSU coach Jack Crowe said Monday. “The challenge for us this week is to step in to a unique environment, and we don’t play in these environments a lot.”

Jacksonville State lost 49-24 to Arkansas, then ranked No. 10, to open the season and enter Saturday’s game against Florida at 6-4. The Gators are 9-1 overall and ranked sixth in the latest BCS standings and seventh in the Associated Press poll.

Last week’s come-from-behind 38-23 win over Austin Peay secured JSU’s 10th straight winning season and sent the seniors out on a high note in their home finalé.

“Coming out of the game last week, certainly we were happy to win and very happy for our seniors because it was their last home game,” Crowe said. “They are a very special group to me because they are quality people. We have had some high spots and some low spots along with some good quarters and bad quarters. It appears that we responded after halftime pretty consistently and played to the end to win.”

Florida, which has played the nation’s toughest schedule and has faced four teams in the latest BCS standings, struggled last week against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Gators blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the final seconds to rally past the Ragin’ Cajuns 27-20.

Florida will not be at full strength against JSU, as it lost quarterback Jeff Driskell to an ankle injury in last week’s game. Gator coach Will Muschamp said Monday that Driskell is doubtful and, if he can’t go, backup Jacoby Brissett will get the start.

Even though Driskell and the Florida offense has been explosive at times this season, it’s the Gator defense that impresses Crowe so much.

“What we are facing this week is one of the special defenses in the country,” Crowe said. “I don’t know if any other of the top defenses in the country have as high of an overall ranking in the top five categories than this team does. They could easily be undefeated and they do it with talent, and they are an outstanding and talented football team.”

JSU receiver Alan Bonner is ready for the challenge.

“I love stepping my game up and competing at a high level,” said Bonner, a senior. “It will be a challenge and I think our team will step up and make plays when we are called on.”

<p>Jacksonville State will finish the season the same way it started the season — with a matchup against a team from the nation's best FBS conference.</p><p>The Gamecocks travel to the Swamp on Saturday to face Florida in JSU's season finalé. Jacksonville State opened the season on the road against Arkansas, another Southeastern Conference opponent.</p><p>But the difficulty in playing in Gainesville, Fla., is a far cry from the way things were in Fayetteville, Ark., in Week 1.</p><p>“We haven't played anybody at this level, but we have played some close to this level,” JSU coach Jack Crowe said Monday. “The challenge for us this week is to step in to a unique environment, and we don't play in these environments a lot.”</p><p>Jacksonville State lost 49-24 to Arkansas, then ranked No. 10, to open the season and enter Saturday's game against Florida at 6-4. The Gators are 9-1 overall and ranked sixth in the latest BCS standings and seventh in the Associated Press poll.</p><p>Last week's come-from-behind 38-23 win over Austin Peay secured JSU's 10th straight winning season and sent the seniors out on a high note in their home finalé.</p><p>“Coming out of the game last week, certainly we were happy to win and very happy for our seniors because it was their last home game,” Crowe said. “They are a very special group to me because they are quality people. We have had some high spots and some low spots along with some good quarters and bad quarters. It appears that we responded after halftime pretty consistently and played to the end to win.”</p><p>Florida, which has played the nation's toughest schedule and has faced four teams in the latest BCS standings, struggled last week against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Gators blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the final seconds to rally past the Ragin' Cajuns 27-20.</p><p>Florida will not be at full strength against JSU, as it lost quarterback Jeff Driskell to an ankle injury in last week's game. Gator coach Will Muschamp said Monday that Driskell is doubtful and, if he can't go, backup Jacoby Brissett will get the start.</p><p>Even though Driskell and the Florida offense has been explosive at times this season, it's the Gator defense that impresses Crowe so much.</p><p>“What we are facing this week is one of the special defenses in the country,” Crowe said. “I don't know if any other of the top defenses in the country have as high of an overall ranking in the top five categories than this team does. They could easily be undefeated and they do it with talent, and they are an outstanding and talented football team.”</p><p>JSU receiver Alan Bonner is ready for the challenge.</p><p>“I love stepping my game up and competing at a high level,” said Bonner, a senior. “It will be a challenge and I think our team will step up and make plays when we are called on.”</p>